One of the main reasons to get excited about the future of the Russian frontcourt is the steady progress of Natalia Vieru who is beginning to impress more and more for both club and country. If she plays in France this summer, it will be her first appearance at EuroBasket Women, having debuted at the FIBA World Championship in 2010 and then at the Olympics last summer, but missing out in Poland two years ago. She enjoyed a superb youth career for Russia and having been loaned out by Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje in Kosice, the player returned last year and has had a very good club season domestically and in Euroleague Women where she finished with a shot percentage only a shade under an impressive 60%. Still maturing and with her post game evolving nicely, Vieru is a strong player who is also a good shot blocker and at 23, is no longer an exciting prospect but rather a sleeping giant ready to explode at this level.